Rocket Man's 02 Denali Build Thread AKA "THE BEAST"

[Dantheman1540]

It looks like Ryan at Performabuilt has found the silver bullet. And it looks like it was my fault although I did not know this could be a problem. When I changed the filter at 2000 miles I used RTV on the pan gasket which NOW I find out is a definite no-no. He found silicone blocking the feed for the servo on the pan rail, causing it to not release. Shit. I'm pretty sure I used RTV the first time I installed the trans too, and changed the filter after break-in. That would explain why it didn't last long after I did that the first time. They should say something about that in the instructions.

Here is his email to me today:

Please call me or have your tuner call me and i will explain whats wrong. The servo isnt the problem, the silicone blocking the feed on the panrail is and that isnt letting the servo release properly and you will get hard shifts from that. ALSO line pressure in marks tune needs to be verified that its OEM STOCK PER THE STOCK BIN FILE. My number is *** *** **** with further questions. Please listen and follow my instructions. Had it not been for the silicone blocking the release for the servo you would still be on the road. The line pressure check in the pcm is a safeguard and is required for all of our transmissions.

Ouch that hurts to know! But I guess at the same time its a relief because now it should hold together. I agree they should clearly specify not to use RTV.

 

[Tonyrodz]

So are they still going to warranty you out? That sux, but at least you know what happened now.

 

[Rocket Man]

So are they still going to warranty you out? That sux, but at least you know what happened now.

I don’t know yet but after that discovery I would be real surprised if they do. And yeah I think I’m feeling better about the future with it. The first time this happened, it was at WOT on a hard launch racing a Subaru STi off the line and when it hit second (REAL hard) I heard a terrible noise and that time it grenaded the thing so bad that it killed the engine and I couldn’t even start it up, things were locked up. At that time they must not have discovered the blocked passage, probably because things were such a mess. Ryan said he’s sure I’d still be on the road if it wasn’t for the silicone causing the servo to not release and I have no reason not to believe him. I have done some reading on these passages for the servos on the pan rails and it’s a thing. Do NOT use RTV to install a pan gasket on an automatic trans or you could cause big problems. I did not know, who would have thought. BTW I beat the Subie until I hit second.

 

[Bear77]

That’s very interesting to know, about the RTV and the Subie! Hopefully you won’t get charged for the tranny needing to get fixed and won’t have any future issues with it!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Dantheman1540]

I forget how much boost are you running? 7psi right?

 

[Rocket Man]

I forget how much boost are you running? 7psi right?

Yeah 7-8. But like Blackbear told me, with my cam and headers I’m flowing more air so boost doesn’t tell the whole story. Less restriction means more volume at less pressure. One day I’ll have it ran on an AWD dyno to get some numbers. I know I’m at the limit on the 72 lb/ hr injectors I’m running so that’s considerable. I tried to move up to the next smaller pulley and at 10-11 psi my injectors were at 100% duty cycle before WOT so I had to go back to the pulley I’m at now.

 

[Tonyrodz]

Yeah 7-8. But like Blackbear told me, with my cam and headers I’m flowing more air so boost doesn’t tell the whole story. Less restriction means more volume at less pressure. One day I’ll have it ran on an AWD dyno to get some numbers. I know I’m at the limit on the 72 lb/ hr injectors I’m running so that’s considerable. I tried to move up to the next smaller pulley and at 10-11 psi my injectors were at 100% duty cycle before WOT so I had to go back to the pulley I’m at now.

Gonna change the injectors?

 

[Rocket Man]

Gonna change the injectors?

No. The next step would be a lot of work. Besides the fact that to install new injectors means pulling the blower due to Whipple’s design, I need dual fuel pumps, a 2 bar tune which is a bunch of work involving a different setup including removing the MAF and I don’t even remember what all else that Justin said. Plus then I’d just end up breaking more stuff like transfer cases, rear ends, drive lines etc. I just want reliable at this point, the power is fine.

 

[Dantheman1540]

Yeah 7-8. But like Blackbear told me, with my cam and headers I’m flowing more air so boost doesn’t tell the whole story. Less restriction means more volume at less pressure. One day I’ll have it ran on an AWD dyno to get some numbers. I know I’m at the limit on the 72 lb/ hr injectors I’m running so that’s considerable. I tried to move up to the next smaller pulley and at 10-11 psi my injectors were at 100% duty cycle before WOT so I had to go back to the pulley I’m at now.

Oh yeah for sure boost is only a measure of back pressure. Maxing 72lb/hr injectors is pretty substantial I wont dare try to guess a power number but roots style blowers like that are extra harsh on stuff. There is an excel spread sheet that takes engine size, blower size, boost level and rpm to give a rough estimate on power and parasitic loss.

 

[Rocket Man]

Holy twistaroo.